Life — November 26, 1908 — page 10: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Human Zoo" - Life Magazine Satire This page features two distinct pieces: **"The Human Zoo"** (left) satirizes Mrs. Wharton, a prolific American writer. The cartoon depicts her as a specimen in a zoo-like display, mocking her prodigious output. The text explains she's writing stories and novels in Italian, suggesting both her ambition and the satirical point that her relentless productivity is almost inhuman or circus-like worthy. **"Rome and Us"** (right) compares American civilization unfavorably to Rome, suggesting America risks Rome's fate through moral decline. It critiques American consumerism and materialism as symptoms of decadence. **"Park Bench vs. Magazine"** presents Rockefeller's philosophy on money-making versus leisure, framed as a debate about life priorities—characteristic Life magazine social commentary on wealth and work.